The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-17
s7OO,OOO, OOOFOR WHISKY
WIVES AND CHILDREN ROBBED
AND HOMES RUINED
In Order TO Maintain the Liquor
Traffic -An Unreliable and Able
Argument far Prohibition.

WASHINGTON, April 16.-Twenty
or more pages of the quarterly report
oil the Chief OF Bureau Of Statistics
Gust OUT are devoted 10 the "con-
sumption Of distilled aud malt
liquors and wines" and estimates
made by recognised authorities are
given upon various features OF this
subject.
In round numbers the consump-
tion Of distilled spirits, domestic and
imported, in this country, is shown
to have increased from $4,000, 900
gallons in 1910 to 1900, 600 in 1886;
of wines, from 1880, 900 gallons 10
q, DOC, 900, and of malt liquors from
%, 0000 gallons to 642, 900, 600.
The consumption Of per capita
during the same period decreased as
regards distilled spirits from about
two and hall gallons 10 about one
and quarter gallons; and increased
as regards wines from 20 to ,3S gal
Ions, and malt liquors from less than
one and half TO more than eleven
gallons.
An elaborate statement made by
II. n. Barrett, editor Of the New
York Grocer, by request of the chief
Of the bureau, is given, which sets
forth among other things that the
present average expenditure in this
country per annum for malt aud
spirituous liquors and beer at retail
is $70O,000,06O. The drinking popu-
lation is estimated to be Tin 1880
IA, 925, Az, making the average ex-
penditure per capita SIS 90. Mr..
Barrett shows by tables covering the
FIVE years from 1882 to 1886, inclu-
sive, that the consumption of spirits
is decreasing, while that of beer is
increasing, and that there is re-
duced use of wine as beverage.
During this period" he says,
"the consumption Of coffee has risen
from 81 pounds per capita to GIL
pounds. Do not these facts show
that the milder stimulants are driy-
ing out their fiery competitor And
is it not due to the growing agitation
OF the temperance question:
Mr.. Barrett says the wholesale
cost of the liquors Tor which the re-
tailers receive 500. 600, 900 is not
more than $300,000,000. He makes
a brief calculation of the cost of
liquors as compared with that Of
food, clothing and shelter, reaching
the conclusion that the American
people expend from $l2 to 81 for
the necessaries named 10 every dol
lar paid out for liquor.
james A. Webb, of New York,
furnishes statement TO the effect
that only 10 per cent. Of the distilled
spirits consumed in this country are
used for medicinal and manufactur-
ing purposes, 80 per cent. being
used as beverage. From a table
covering the FIVE years ending with
1885 it is learned that the consump-
ton of distilled spirits per capita has
steadily increased in France from "a
gallons to 1872; that it has varied in
this country between / .46 in 1888 and
"a gallons in 1884 and 1885; that
the United Kingdom consumes little
more than a gallon per capita, and
that the consumption in Germany
has decreased from 1872 in 1881 TO
la in 1885. France, during the
same period, increased her wine con-
sumption from eighteen and half
to nearly thirty-seven gallons, while
this country and the United King
dom, beginning with less than half a
gallon per head, show slight falling
off. In the matter of beer consump,
ton, during this period, the United
States increased her average from a
little less than ten to a little more
than eleven gallons; the United
Kingdom held her own at about
thirty-three gallons, and Germany
did the same at about twenty-three
gallons.